Impact of left ventricular diastolic function on left atrial mechanics in systolic heart failure.

The relation between left atrial (LA) mechanics and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and adverse cardiovascular events are not well established in chronic systolic heart failure (HF). In 108 patients, we performed comprehensive echocardiography with an assessment of LA global longitudinal strain (LAε) by Velocity Vector Imaging. We also performed complete diastolic examinations including mitral inflow, pulmonary vein flow, and tissue Doppler.

Impact of left ventricular remodeling on diagnostic and prognostic value of tissue Doppler indices in chronic systolic heart failure.

Background: The ratio of peak transmitral pulsed Doppler early velocity to early diastolic tissue Doppler velocity (TDI) of the lateral or septal mitral annulus (E/Ea) is considered a reliable estimation of LV filling pressure. We aim to examine the impact of left ventricular (LV) dimensions on the relationship between lateral and septal E/Ea in the determination of diastolic dysfunction patterns in the setting of chronic systolic heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: In 207 patients with chronic systolic HF (LV ejection fraction ≤40%, New York Heart Association Classes I-IV), comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography was performed and long-term outcomes followed up to a median of 40 months.

Clinical significance of endogenous vasoactive neurohormones in chronic systolic heart failure.

Background: Neurohormonal activation is a pathophysiological hallmark of acute and chronic heart failure (HF). The clinical significance of more recently discovered endogenous vasoactive hormones has not been well-characterized.

Methods And Results: In 154 subjects with stable, chronic systolic HF (New York Heart Association Class I-IV, left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Right atrial volume index in chronic systolic heart failure and prognosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between right atrial volume index (RAVI) and right ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic function, as well as long-term prognosis in patients with chronic systolic heart failure (HF).

Background: RV dysfunction is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HF, although echocardiographic assessment of RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction is challenging. The ability to visualize the RA allows a quantitative, highly reproducible assessment of the RA volume that can be indexed to body surface area.

Relation of mechanical dyssynchrony with underlying cardiac structure and performance in chronic systolic heart failure: implications on clinical response to cardiac resynchronization.

Aims: The aim of this study is to describe the relationship between ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (VMD) and echocardiographic indices of cardiac remodelling.

Methods And Results: We evaluated 219 ambulatory patients with chronic systolic heart failure [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 40 ms and/or inter-VMD > 38 ms).

Impact of myocardial function on cystatin C measurements in chronic systolic heart failure.

Background: The influence of myocardial function on plasma levels of cystatin C (CysC), a sensitive marker of renal function, in chronic systolic heart failure (HF) has not been well established.

Methods: We prospectively identified 139 subjects with stable, chronic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 35%) and measured plasma levels of CysC. We prospectively tracked patients' long-term adverse clinical outcomes (death, cardiac transplantation, and HF hospitalizations).

Usefulness of C-reactive protein and left ventricular diastolic performance for prognosis in patients with left ventricular systolic heart failure.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a hepatocyte-derived inflammatory cytokine shown to be increased in the setting of acute heart failure (HF), particularly with increased intracardiac filling pressures. In the chronic HF setting, the relation between hs-CRP and echocardiographic indexes of left ventricular (LV) diastolic performance has not been examined. We measured plasma hs-CRP levels using a particle-enhanced immunonephelometry assay (Dade Behring, Inc.

Ventricular untwisting: a temporal link between left ventricular relaxation and suction.

Left ventricular (LV) untwisting starts early during the isovolumic relaxation phase and proceeds throughout the early filling phase, releasing elastic energy stored by the preceding systolic deformation. Data relating untwisting, relaxation, and intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPG), which represent another manifestation of elastic recoil, are sparse. To understand the interaction between LV mechanics and inflow during early diastole, Doppler tissue images (DTI), catheter-derived pressures (apical and basal LV, left atrial, and aortic), and LV volume data were obtained at baseline, during varying pacing modes, and during dobutamine and esmolol infusion in seven closed-chest anesthetized dogs.

Prognostic value and echocardiographic determinants of plasma myeloperoxidase levels in chronic heart failure.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between myeloperoxidase (MPO) and cardiac structure, performance, and prognosis.

Background: Myeloperoxidase is an inflammatory marker that is elevated in patients with heart failure (HF) and cardiac dysfunction, with mechanistic links to plaque vulnerability and left ventricular (LV) remodeling.

Methods: We evaluated plasma MPO levels (CardioMPO, PrognostiX, Inc.

Salvage of nondiagnostic transthoracic echocardiograms on patients in intensive care units with intravenous ultrasound contrast.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is often technically difficult on patients in intensive care units. Contrast echocardiography can improve left ventricular wall visualization and the assessment of regional and global left ventricular wall motion. Our study undertook to determine what proportion of nondiagnostic TTE studies on patients in intensive care units could be salvaged (i.

Comparison of left ventricular diastolic function in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in patients undergoing percutaneous septal alcohol ablation versus surgical myotomy/myectomy.

Both percutaneous transcoronary alcohol septal reduction (ASR) and surgical myectomy are effective treatments to relieve left ventricular (LV) outflow tract obstruction in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). LV diastolic function was assessed by echocardiography in 57 patients with obstructive HC at baseline and 5 +/- 4 months after ASR (n = 37) or surgical myectomy (n = 20). LV outflow tract pressure gradient decreased from 65 +/- 40 to 23 +/- 21 mm Hg (p <0.